Weekly Daf #1

Kiddushin 68-74 - Issue #1
29 Shevat-5 Adar 5754/10-16 February 1994

Rav Weinbach's insights, explanations and comments for the
7 pages of Talmud studied as part of Daf Yomi during the above
dates.

In August 1923, the First International Congress of Agudath
Israel World Movement met in Vienna, at which Rav Meir Shapiro
proposed uniting people worldwide through the daily study of a
page of Talmud. The project is currently in its 10th cycle, and
is engaged in the study of Tractate Kiddushin.

Each week, Rav Weinbach will be providing us with his insights
on the seven pages of the Daf Yomi study. Rav Weinbach's background
as a Rosh Yeshiva, author and lecturer, is sure to guarantee interesting
reading.

Presented here are sample "nuggets" based on this
week's Daf Yomi study.

Patrilineal Jewishness - A Modern Myth

In a case where one of the parties is not marriagable according
to Jewish Law the child born of their union has the status of
the mother; i.e., a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother-the
child is considered a non-Jew.

Mishnah 66b

What is the source for this rule? Rabbi Yochanan, in the name
of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, based it on the following passages
in the Torah:

"You shall not intermarry with them [the non-Jews]; you shall
not give your daughter to his son in marriage nor shall you take
his daughter as a wife for your son. For -he [the non-Jewish father]-
shall turn away your [grand]son from Me and they will serve other
gods, and Hashem's anger shall be kindled against you and you
will be quickly destroyed" (Deuteronomy 7:3-4).

Intermarriage is prohibited both in the case of a Jewish boy or
girl. The consequence of a grandchild being turned away from his
Jewish faith is, however, mentioned only in regard to the non-Jewish
father but not the non-Jewish mother. The conclusion is that the
child of a Jewish mother and a non-Jewish father is considered
Jewish and the danger of his being diverted from his faith is
relevant, while the child of a Jewish father and
a non-Jewish mother is considered as non-Jewish and the consequence
of being diverted from his faith is irrelevant.

Kiddushin 68b

Centrality of Jerusalem and Justice

"You will arise and ascend to the place which Hashem,
your G-d, has chosen" (Deuteronomy 17:8).

This passage, instructing Jewish judges faced by a problem in
Torah Law to bring it up to the Sanhedrin (High Court) in the
Beis Hamikdash (Holy Temple) in Jerusalem, teaches us that the
Beis Hamikdash is the highest place in the Land of Israel and
that the Land of Israel is higher than all other lands.

Kiddushin 69a

The universe is a globe and the site of the Beis Hamikdash is
the center of this universe (centrality, rather than altitude,
is the meaning of height), as too is the Land of Israel. Our Sages
therefore said of the Land of Israel that because of its central
position its atmosphere is balanced and generates wisdom. This
is even more so in regard to the site of the Beis Hamikdash and
for this reason it was the seat of the Sanhedrin.